InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Exchanged ❯ Abducted ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: All I possibly own is the storyline…Takahashi-sama owns the characters!

 

A/N: Lemon alert! Be forewarned…don't want any complaints that you didn't know what you were walking into…This fic is rated M for `violence and sexual situations', so if you're too young or easily shocked, come back next chapter.

 

Danna can mean either `husband' or `master', as in `of the house'; I'm going with the first of the two. This is the 21st century, after all…

 

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Exchanged: Part Four

Intensity

 

The car was very quiet on the drive back to Sesshomaru's apartment. My head was spinning too fast with everything I had seen, heard and met to allow me to engage in any sensible form of conversation.

 

Dog demons, fox demons, cat demons…reincarnations…an inter-century, inter-species blended family on a scale I'd never dreamed of. Not exactly Leave-It-To-Beaver, but definitely a close-knit bunch.

 

That was the most surreal part. The whole kit and caboodle gave the impression that it was perfectly normal to live like this, cheek by jowl, fang by claw.

 

And they all just accepted me as one of the gang…or pack, as it were.

 

I guess the smell of frying brain cells (mine) finally reached Sesshomaru's nose, because he broke the silence. “Did you find this evening to be a little overwhelming, Rin?”

 

“You could say that…” I sighed, and ran my fingers through my hair, then leaned back against the headrest, closing my eyes.

 

“Are you all right?” His voice was rich with concern; I rolled my head over his way, and smiled at him.

 

“I'm okay…it's just an awful lot to take in all at once. Kagome was very kind…I'm glad I met her.” A claw tenderly rubbed my cheek; I leaned into his palm, enjoying the mild tingling sensation. He dropped his hand to cover mine where it rested on my thigh…and that caused a whole different type of physical reaction, so strong it caught me totally off guard.

 

I jumped, and stared at his hand like it had bitten me. He started to withdraw it, but I quickly caught his wrist, and tugged his hand back to its previous position. “Sorry about that…my body seems to have a very definite reaction to your touch, but my brain hasn't caught on yet…”

 

“You can feel it too, then?” His voice dipped down into a rumble that resonated through my body, making parts of me go instantly hot and bothered. My face flamed at exactly the same pace. Flustered, I didn't know what to say. My body's response confirmed the suspicion I had about a pod-person taking me over. A very horny pod-person. Just my luck.

 

While I was stuttering a response, Sesshomaru stroked his hand the length of my thigh, and then rested his claws lightly on my knee. I actually gasped, and shivered, and looked at him with wide eyes. He then took my hand, and cupped it over his thigh. We both jumped at the contact, and so did the car. I started to giggle. “This might be dangerous…”

 

“Indeed…this may not be the best venue for any sort of further exploration…” He quirked a smile at me, before slipping his hand under mine, and proceeded to lightly fondle my fingers. Like that was really going to help...

 

We spent the rest of the drive `just' holding hands. I tried to keep my mind from wild speculation about, well, about parts of his body that nice girls shouldn't even be thinking of, never mind hoping to be introduced to. Personally. Soon.

 

What the hell. Maybe I never really was a nice girl…I just hadn't met the right bad boy yet. What would my mother say? She was already married and had me by the same age I was now…I was a late-bloomer in comparison.

 

We were alone in the elevator, just like last night, but this time our fingers were loosely entwined; I let my body drift over to him, until I was lightly brushing against his side. Sesshomaru slipped his hand up under my hair and circled the back of my neck with his claws, raising goosebumps. The door opened, and we walked together down the hall. I slid my arm around his waist; his claws flexed lightly against my skin.

 

Inside the apartment, I slipped off my shoes, and waited, my heart pounding, for the next move in this dance that I had never before completed. I was surprised when he asked, “Would you care for that cup of tea now?” Not what I was expecting. I know I looked confused. “There are a few things we should discuss before…” He let his voice trail off.

 

“B-before…?” His half-hooded golden eyes traveled significantly up and down my body. I blushed. Seemed to be doing a lot of that lately...

 

“Yes, please…that would be lovely…the tea, I mean…um, I'll just go freshen up…” I headed off to the ensuite. I caught him watching me with that molten intensity when I glanced over my shoulder before I disappeared inside. I took off the peach cardigan, folded it, and laid it on the foot of the bed, then went in to see how I looked.

 

Well, I'm not exactly Hollywood's definition of a sex pot, but I'll guess I have to do. Sesshomaru didn't seem to mind, so why should I? I washed my hands, brushed my teeth and fluffed my hair. I shoved myself back through the bedroom door into the living room before I had a second thought and locked myself in. Mind you, I'd seen his door-removal technique last night, and knew the hinges didn't stand a chance if he was of a mind to pursue his apparent goal.

 

He was standing looking out the window, the ambient light from outside softening his facial markings. Damn, he was beautiful. And he wanted me. No accounting for taste, but hey, I wasn't going to argue with him.

 

I was halfway across the room when a shimmering, tilting sensation behind my eyes had me grabbing for the back of the nearest couch. Images of brilliant light, intense heat and then darkness slammed through my brain. I think I cried out; the next thing I saw were Sesshomaru's eyes. I tried to focus on them, but I couldn't. My vision went dark again; I blindly grabbed for something to hold onto and knew I was in his arms before I sank to the floor.

 

“Rin?” His fingers were massaging the back of my head again.

 

“Fire…heat…bright light…” I slurred, clinging to him. He shifted, and pulled me closer, until my head was under his chin. The darkness behind my eyes reddened, then lightened, and I saw disjointed scenes that made no sense. A flowery meadow…cherry trees in bloom…golden-brown scaly hide warm under my hand…something green and squawking on the periphery…cold wind blowing my hair away from my face, white fur wrapped around me…heat between my thighs, lips trailing fire over my skin… candlelight, laughter, conversation…crisp layered white silk, a fan held in my fingers, a low voice chanting…skin sliding over skin, hot breath in my ear…salt air, waves crashing on a rocky shore, gulls mewling…my fingers tracing red stripes over muscled thighs…my own voice, calling his name, arching, throbbing, tensing…

 

“Boy, you guys did it a lot,” I mumbled into Sesshomaru's chest.

 

“Pardon?” He was startled. I tilted back my head to look fuzzily at him.

 

“I think…I saw some of…the other Rin's memories…you two were, um, busy…a lot.”

 

His eyes softened, then took on that liquid appearance. “Not all the time, but yes, quite often…what else did you see?”

 

I rubbed my eyes, which still didn't want to focus properly. “No damn wolves, thank goodness…just a mish-mash of images, like my uncle's crappy home movies… and feelings. I felt… secure, happy… and…um…”

 

“And?” he prompted, his voice doing that rumble-thing again, which made me go all fluttery inside.

 

“Loved.” I squeaked out, and hid in his shirt. His hands stilled; I thought he caught his breath.

 

“Rin…you are my Rin, beloved…gods, I have missed you…”

 

Then his arms re-arranged themselves around my body, until he stood up, lifting me against his chest. Sesshomaru carried me towards the bedroom door I had just exited, while I wrapped my arms up around his neck and tried not to get all nervous about what was to come. He shouldered the door closed, closing off the world, then set me down on the edge of the bed, and knelt between my quivering knees, taking my face in his hands.

 

The intensity in his eyes was almost frightening; I kept blinking, thinking that he could sear my soul if I didn't look away. He slid his hands into my hair, and then kissed me carefully, almost to see if I was receptive to the idea. I could sense the restraint he was forcing himself into by the way his hands trembled. I reached around him, curling my hands around his shoulder blades, and kissed him back.

 

That was the dam-buster. Our kiss became deeper; his tongue flickered over my lips and I opened to him, drinking in the sensations while my body experienced an arousal so intense, it almost hurt. Sesshomaru broke the kiss, and pulled me up to standing with him, those glowing eyes holding me fast, while he moulded me against him, cupping my behind through the skirt so firmly that I could feel his erection through his pants.

 

I kissed him, trying for hot and wet while I fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, carefully pulling the tails out of his waistband, and then sliding it off his shoulders. I ran my hands over his chest, revelling in the sensation of velvety skin covering steel-hard muscles.

 

That might sound like a cliché, ladies, but that's exactly what his chest felt like… have you ever smooched a competitive skateboarder? No? Oh, too bad. If you have, well, his muscles were tight and toned like that, but way better…

 

He growled slightly when I lightly ran my thumbs over both of his nipples; they hardened instantly, and were answered by mine straining against the bra and tank top. His hands left me for a moment; then the shirt slithered the rest of the way to the floor. My waist was circled briefly, and then he slid his hands under the tank while he left my lips to kiss his way down my neck to my shoulder. When he encountered fabric, I felt him growl through my collarbone before the tank was tugged over my head and dropped onto the floor with his shirt, followed immediately by my bra. He dropped to his knees and started becoming acquainted with my breasts.

 

His hot breath made everything go on high alert; I arched into his mouth, gasping, the moment he kissed my nipple, flicking it with his tongue. His claws slid up to circle my other breast; carefully, he rubbed his thumb over my nipple until it was as hard as a rock. I had double handfuls of his hair by this time, and was rocking my hips against his chest, moaning. He shuddered when I bent inward, brushed the bangs away from his forehead, and kissed the blue crescent moon centred there. He took control again; I yelped when his other hand trailed up the inside of my leg, and cupped me through my panties. He gently pressed upward while I writhed against him, gasping at the sensations.

 

Both hands slid away from the body parts they were deliciously tormenting and hooked their thumbs into the waistband of my skirt and panties, whipping them down so fast I was barely aware of it, until he neatly took my knees out and laid me down on the bed. I lay there, panting lightly and a little disoriented, wondering vaguely how the pale green wall had suddenly turned off-white, until I managed a full-body blush when he unzipped his pants and let them drop.

 

Oh, my. He was striped around his thighs and over his hips, the red ribbons curving down below his navel to disappear in his silver pubic hair.

 

My first thought was wow… and my second was far more unprintable, but had to do with his impressive anatomical appearance at that moment.

 

Sesshomaru knelt on the edge of the bed, his eyes boring into mine, then began kissing his way up, starting at my knee, then swirling his tongue in my navel before going back to begin again on the other leg. His hair trailed along the sheets; I wound a few strands in my fingers, tugging on them gently in response to his attentions. His hooded eyes were liquid gold; he bent his head towards the centre of my heat, inhaling deeply as he did. It was a good thing I was already horizontal, because that look would have buckled my knees on the spot.

 

His tongue trailing fire across my skin, he kissed and licked his way up to my breasts, and played lazily with my nipples for a few minutes, until I was squirming as well as moaning, trying to not pull on his hair too hard. I felt first one knee and then the other, slide between my thighs; my hips bucked violently against him of their own accord.

 

“Ooooh, Sesshooomaaaruuu…” I had barely gasped his name, when his hot mouth attacked mine, his body sliding into place between my legs. I let go of his hair, and caressed his cheeks, running my fingertips lightly along his stripes and then outlining his ears, to start over again while he growled into my mouth, our tongues sliding sensuously around each other.

 

“Rin…aijin…” His voice was rough-edged, his eyes dark with desire.

 

I arched my back and spread my legs wider, blushing at myself. “Please…” I whispered, stroking his cheeks and ears, running my nails along his shoulders, his hair spilling over us to pool on the sheets. His hand slid under my hip, tilting my pelvis upward, until I felt him pressing at my entrance. I whimpered into his mouth, out of desire and a touch of fear, but he was gentle, whispering reassurances, rocking into me gradually, until I felt a vague pressure point give way, and he was completely sheathed inside me.

 

When he surged his first full thrust into me, I convulsed slightly, but the shock quickly passed. Sesshomaru locked his hands under the back of my head, cupping me on the right angle to be kissed thoroughly while our bodies moved together. I ran my hands up and down his back, feeling the muscles tensing and releasing, pressing him deeper into me, gasping and moaning into his mouth as the sensations increased and wound together into a seamless white-hot intensity.

 

I know I screamed his name when I came, and it must have been pretty loud, because I caught him wince before my eyes snapped shut in reflex. He held himself still, while my body pulsed around him, until I relaxed into a warm oozy cocoon of fulfillment. Then, he slid out of me, turning me until he was curved against my back, his arms wrapped closely around me and his breath cooling my neck.

 

I passed out briefly, and awoke to a curious vibration rumbling against my shoulder blades. Sesshomaru was purring, one claw tip tracing delicate patterns on my hip.

 

“Mmmm…thank you, Sesshomaru.”

 

His claw stopped, mid pattern, then resumed. “You are welcome, Rin…tell me, are you always this formal?”

 

I rolled over in his arms, and smiled lazily up at him, tracing a pattern of my own on his chest with my fingertip. “Not always, since this is a first for me…my mother always told me to be polite if someone ever does something really wonderful…so, thank you.”

 

He snorted gently, then tucked me under his chin against his chest, and resumed purring, moving the patterns to the base of my spine where they did some very interesting things to parts of me that I thought wouldn't be ready for action any time too soon. Apparently I recover really quickly. That was a good thing, considering what was about to happen.

 

Sesshomaru curled himself around me even closer, as if he had to protect me from something. I heard his breathing accelerate and become ragged. Wondering, I tried to push away from his chest, to see the expression on his face, but he kept me pinned under his chin. I laid very still, stroking his skin gently, while he shivered and twitched, in the grip of some deep emotion.

 

“Nagasaki.”

 

The word was filled with darkness and pain. I burrowed in closer to him, making soothing noises. His hand convulsively gripped a handful of my hair, as if he was trying to catch hold of something. “I lost you…during the bombing of Nagasaki…I nearly lost my mind as well. If only I had sent you to the fortress instead…I stayed in Tokyo, trying to hold the centre together as the war unravelled around us. I thought you would be safe there, but that witch…she found out, and made sure that you could not escape. There was nothing for me, for Tenseiga… And then to lose all trace of you, until now…then nearly lose you to her evil again…” He was either gasping or growling; it wasn't too clear.

 

I remembered the scorching brilliance of heat and light, and knew that I experienced the moment of her death.

 

The wind witch. Kagura. The name jumped up right in front of me, out of one of the darkest corners of my mind, and glared at me. The enemy. But why?

 

“Aijin… I can't remember…why does Kagura want to kill me?” He snarled reflexively at her name; his hands pressed me closer to him.

 

“She was furious that I chose you over her, Rin, and she wanted revenge. She tried before to kill you, thinking that I would then turn to her; her rage was all-consuming when she discovered otherwise.”

 

“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” I muttered.

 

He mumbled something inarticulate into my hair, then suddenly rolled me over, facing away from him again. “Rin…I need you…will you…please…”

 

His urgent need was naked in his voice; I shivered, and whispered “Yes…aijin.” His arms crossed over my chest, his hands gripping my shoulders, and he shuddered. Keeping one arm around me, he carefully rolled both of us up onto our knees. I couldn't help but grin to myself, when I realized what position he was intending to use, then moved to let him know that I understood. I hoped I wouldn't giggle if he barked…

 

He positioned himself behind me, and tilted my hips up to meet his. I braced my hands on the sheets, and pushed backwards slightly; he groaned when he slid into me, his claws gripping my hips. He began to thrust, but it was like he couldn't quite control himself. He had barely settled into a rhythm that I could respond to, when I was startled by a deep howl ricocheting off the walls, and the convulsive shuddering of his release. One arm tightened across my hips, keeping us locked together, the other slammed down beside mine, keeping us from falling over… but it was more paw than hand.

 

Woof.

 

Long silver hair swept down and across, tangling with mine, swinging gently while he gasped against my back. The arm attached to the paw was covered in fine silver fur, completely obscuring the stripes around his wrist. A long tongue drew a wet line up between my shoulder blades to the nape of my neck, then licked my ear, two parallel somethings scraping my skin along the same path. Sesshomaru's voice was barely recognizable. “Aisai…Rin…I'm sorry…I nearly…lost control.”

 

We slowly collapsed together. I tried to roll over to snuggle against his chest; he gently but firmly prevented it. I squirmed in protest, and then words that came out of somewhere deep in my memory pushed to the surface. “Sesshomaru…danna…I know what you are…let me see you, please?” His breath hitched.

 

“Beloved…you have not seen me in this form…”

 

“Trust me… please?”

 

He released me; I rolled towards him, and cuddled in. It was clear that the transformation was fading, albeit slowly, such was the intensity of his emotion. I pushed myself up on one elbow, and stroked his face towards me. He kept his eyes closed. His hair was shaggier, as opposed to sleek, and his lower face had the slightest suggestion of a protruding muzzle. His canines had elongated into impressive fangs, and his now very dark red cheek stripes were frayed along the edges. I ran my fingertip over his lips and down his fangs, then leaned in and kissed the stripes closest to me. His eyes flew open, and I found myself looking into red pools with sky blue pupils. I bent to kiss the stripes again, and he pulled his face away. “Do not…it is too much…I might…”

 

“Might what, danna?” I purred, lightly brushing his lips with my own.

 

“If I transformed further while mating with you, I might severely injure you…” Not to mention taking out the floor above this room… I nodded, and lay back down beside him, draping my arm across his silver-furred chest, and one leg over his thigh. He nuzzled my hair, and hugged me close. “My aisai…I will never let you go, now that I have found you again.” I fell asleep on his shoulder, lulled by the rumble of his purr, and warmth of his embrace.

 

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Stolen

 

Ladies, if you are going to lose your virginity, I highly recommend losing it to a silver-haired, hard-bodied dog demon that hasn't been laid in sixty years.

 

Talk about having your bell rung.

 

I surfaced slowly, sleep sliding away softly. I became aware of being pinned down by various weights draped across various parts of my body, particularly my shoulder, and that particular weight was breathing gently. I cracked an eye.

 

Sesshomaru's silver head rested against my cheek, his breath exhaling warmly across my chest. My ribs were held under a striped arm; one clawed hand was circling my breast, the tips flexing slightly against the delicate skin every so often. Further down, I could feel a muscled thigh being friendly with one of mine. I closed my eyes, smiling, thinking about where else he was striped…and then blushed when I remembered tracing those stripes with my tongue.

 

Did I really do that?

 

I had awoken in the middle of the night, chilled, and Sesshomaru considered it his marital duty to warm me up. I had responded, um, enthusiastically, to that noble gesture, and we ended up not going back to sleep for quite a while. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to walk straight, or sit properly... Hope that nobody pulled a fire alarm somewhere in the building…

 

His hand left my breast, and slowly stroked down my body to my thigh and back, brushing away stray locks of both our hair. I sighed, and kissed the crown of his head, running my fingers up and down his back. He pushed up on his elbow, and tenderly kissed my cheek. I slipped my arms up around his neck, and pulled him down for a kiss of my own. “Good morning, danna…” That word made me blush lightly again…but that is what my little inner voice insisted he was.

 

Well, I had recent experience that he was really, really appreciative when I called him my husband. Thoughts of my mother's reaction to all this, and without an announcement, ring or ceremony involved tiptoed in through the side door of my mind, and were ruthlessly shoved into a mental broom closet, the door firmly locked behind them.

 

“Good morning, aisai…sleep well?” His hooded eyes and lazy smile let me know that he was being disingenuous; I furrowed my brow and pretended to think about it.

 

“Hmmm… someone kept messing my hair up, but other than that… it was all right.” He arched a fine eyebrow, and then leaned in so that his lips were barely touching my ear. I arched my neck towards him, to give him better access.

 

“I enjoyed `messing your hair up', beloved…”

 

We were fairly well involved with saying a non-verbal “good morning” to each other, when a tremendous crack hit the wall behind the headboard of the bed. Sesshomaru's reaction was instantaneous and lightning-quick. He seized me around my waist and pulled me off the mattress with him, while grabbing a sword from underneath the bed.

 

Well, my dad keeps a .22 handy…although a big shiny sword is in its own league altogether. And I can assure you, that my dad wouldn't look quite so impressive while holding his weapon…and he sure wouldn't be buck naked, either. He's a flannel PJ kind of guy...

 

Tucked up against Sesshomaru's chest, gripping his forearm, I realized that the wall behind the bed must be windows, because heavy drapery shrouded the whole expanse. Another crash had him working us backwards, against the rear wall. “Rin, quickly…prepare yourself to leave this room.” He released me, while never taking his eyes off the far wall, his sword levelled.

 

“What is it?” I whispered, my heart beginning to thump a bit faster.

 

“We are under attack, my love. It was not unexpected…” I slid under his arm, and backed into the ensuite. I had a few things to attend to, among them the fluids suddenly obeying the pull of gravity down my thighs, as well as the rather obvious scent of what we had been doing for most of the night. I quickly cleaned up as much as I could and washed my face, noting in passing that my lips were nicely swollen, and then nervously peered around the doorframe.

 

Sesshomaru was in the process of tying the sash on a dark kimono, the sword on the bed to free his hands. He picked up a thin silky white robe in his claws, and swung it over my shoulders. After I fumbled with the ties, he wrapped a navy blue damask kimono patterned with apricot flowers down the thigh-length sleeve around me, and tied the sash for me. He ran his claws through my hair, and smiled tenderly into my face, before cradling me close. “Come, aisai. Unfortunately I have had no time to prepare you…but it cannot be helped…just remember, everyone must bow to you, Rin. To our generals, you may return their bow, but to all others, you only incline your head.”

 

I pushed away from his chest and smiled wryly up at him. “I'm used to greeting people with a handshake…you're making it sound like I'm royalty or something.”

 

“You are royalty, beloved…you are now my consort, the Lady of the Western Lands. Our clan members and allies will give you a period of grace, never fear.” He pushed a scabbard through his sash, sheathed his sword, and opened the door. I had half a dazed moment to clue in that I was wearing a tomisode kimono, signalling that I was a married woman, before he whisked me out the door. Saturday night and Hiromi's bright furisode kimono seemed a lifetime ago…

 

The room was full of very large men, and a few women, dressed in either armour like Sesshomaru's or multilayered kimonos. I would probably have stopped dead in shock, registering all these bodies in what I thought was a private residence, but Sesshomaru's arm around my waist swept me into the centre of the room.

 

Four men in very elaborate armour decorated with thick silk cording on the shoulders came to attention. All were tall, had pointed ears, and large canine teeth. Their nostrils flared when they clapped slit-pupil eyes on me, and then they sniffed, as discretely as possible. I was reminded of my outdoorsy uncle's pack of hunting dogs, noses quivering, as they picked up a scent. There was a significant pause, and a profound silence fell, punctuated only by the sound of something impacting against the plate glass windows.

 

One of the men stepped forward, an older demon with silver-threaded light brown hair. He bowed very deeply, first to Sesshomaru and then to me. “My lord and lady…this is a wonderful surprise.” Like a spell had been broken, the other three also bowed, as a murmur ran through the room.

 

“This is General Tsume, leader of our allied wing. General, I am pleased to introduce you to my wife, the lady Rin.”

 

I bowed, and then held out my hand to the general, intending to shake his hand. “I am pleased to meet you, General…” He took my hand in both of his, holding it firmly before bringing it to his lips. The other three senior officers followed suit, Sesshomaru murmuring the introductions. We were interrupted by a particularly loud crash rattling the windows.

 

Sesshomaru's claws tightened on my waist, prickling right through the thick fabric. “The ravens obviously did not expect to meet a sacred barrier. Lady Kagome's powers are as effective as ever.” I noticed that it was just barely light outside; a new day was definitely dawning in my experience.

 

A senior lady demon dressed in shaded layers of golden-brown stepped forward and bowed very low. General Tsume took the lady's hand. “Lady Rin, allow me to introduce my wife, Lady Shiraha.” A pair of dark gold, vertically-slit eyes smiled warmly. I inclined my head, and then held out my hand to her, smiling in return.

 

“Pleased to meet you, Lady Shiraha.” She clasped my hand and gently tugged me towards her. Sesshomaru let me go; I resisted slightly, but his hand in the centre of my back gently propelled me forward. Lady Shiraha tucked my hand under her arm, and led me to the couches, where several other beautifully dressed ladies awaited, like a flock of exotic birds. Sesshomaru obviously trusted her to introduce me to the other members of what Kagome had referred to…the court of the Western Lands.

 

Being thrown into a shark tank to improve my swimming would have been preferable. A tank of hungry sharks.

 

Lady Shiraha introduced me around, the ladies bowing deeply, me inclining my head politely. I remembered how I had obviously insulted Sesshomaru on the street in the Asakusa district, when I had not bowed to him…lucky for me he was in a good mood at the time. Someone who knew their way around the kitchen, and wearing a dark kimono that looked like a uniform, brought dainty tea cups on a tray; I was wondering how to discretely inquire about a more substantial breakfast, when a major commotion erupted at the door.

 

An armoured, tattered, bleeding man staggered in, and went down on one knee before Sesshomaru. General Tsume moved in between them, his hand on his sword hilt. A tense silence fell over all of us.

 

“Report.”

 

“The shrine is under assault by overwhelming forces, my lord. I was sent by Lord Inuyasha to request reinforcements, but I barely made it here, such is the size of the force attacking this building.”

 

“A diversion…they have caught us out, General. Put the plans in motion to breakout from here and assist my brother…”

 

A flurry of activity emptied the room, five of the ladies disappearing to accompany their husbands (I guess…fathers or brothers, maybe? Demonic ages are so hard to figure out), leaving me with Lady Shiraha and another woman named Lady Kagetsu. Sesshomaru, General Tsume and a few other officer-types clustered near the windows, conferring quietly. The number of things thumping and spattering against the windows was as intense as ever; I was worrying my sleeve, thinking about Kagome and the children, and hoping they were all right.

 

The kitchen fellow must have been a mind reader; either that, or my stomach growling was loud enough to alert him, because a lacquered tray of what was the loveliest traditional-style breakfast I had seen since arriving in this country was deposited on the table for us to share. The other two regarded me with bright eyes; I smiled graciously, and indicated we should begin. Lady Shiraha poured me a cup of tea; I remembered to hold the cup with two hands. Sesshomaru and General Tsume dismissed the other men, and joined us. Frantically scanning my brain for any relevant etiquette lessons I could dig up, I poured tea for Sesshomaru, and then for the general. Pulling back my sleeves, I collected a bowl of miso soup and a spoon, and used two hands to give them to Sesshomaru. He graciously accepted, amusement tingeing his smile.

 

General Tsume cleared his throat. I jumped, wondering if I'd offended someone by mistake. He smiled at me, showing off some interesting golden yellow teeth, like he was a twenty-pack-a-day smoker…but these teeth were shiny and clean. “I am very pleased that you have rejoined us, Lady Rin…your presence harbingers a turning point in this conflict with the wind witch, I am sure of it.”

 

Before I could reply, a squeaky, little-girl voice interrupted. “Your eyes are so blue, Lady Rin! Where does such a tall girl hail from?” Lady Kagetsu's golden eyes were sharp, although she did a good fluttering job to distract me. I wondered how much information was too much; I noticed that General Tsume's eyes were fastened on her in an intense sort of way.

 

“I am from the United States…my grandmother was born in Japan, and emigrated with my American grandfather when his tour of duty ended. I was born and raised in California.”

 

The rate of eyelash fluttering increased. I was feeling uneasy; Sesshomaru lightly touched the back of my hand with a claw tip. “Lady Rin has only recently arrived in Japan, Lady Kagetsu. I am very glad to have been reunited with her; she is unaware of many of our customs, but I am sure she will feel comfortable with her role very soon.” Thankful for this rescue, and even surer of an undercurrent crackling with tension, I inclined my head to her. Lady Tsume poured more tea for us; her husband first, Sesshomaru second, me third, and Lady Kagetsu last. I realized my mental filing cabinets were going to need a thorough cleaning out and dusting to keep all this new information together.

 

If anyone knows where I can find a copy of “Demonic Etiquette for Dummies”, please let me know. I'd be very grateful.

 

There was a bigger contretemps out in the hall; running feet and harsh shouting. Sesshomaru and General Tsume rose, their sword hilts gripped in their hands.

 

Inuyasha crashed through the door.

 

I gasped, and gathering the kimono up, shot past Sesshomaru to run across the room to him. He was a mess, to put it mildly. His fire-rat was shredded, and he was bloodied. So was the Tetsusaiga. He smiled crookedly down at me, and was about to say something when he obviously got a whiff of my scent. His jaw dropped, and the look of utter surprise quickly changed to a sardonic smirk. “Well, Rin, looks like congratulations are in order…hell of a job, though…we gained one and lost one today.” His face instantly became drawn and haggard.

 

I caught him by the shoulders, and was about to say something, when Kagome came around the doorframe, supported by her mother, Tsuki cradled in her arms. The look of complete despair on her face should have warned me what was coming.

 

“They took Tai.”